What you need to get started
Calligraphy requires precise equipment, not expensive equipment. The wrong pen makes learning unnecessarily hard. The right one makes it possible. Start simple.
A pointed nib pen — oblique holder or straight holder
£5–15 for holder and a pack of nibsA straight holder is simpler for beginners. An oblique holder angles the nib to make the correct letterform angle easier to achieve naturally. Both work; the oblique is preferred by most serious calligraphers. The Speedball oblique holder (£5–8) is a reliable entry point. Nibs: Nikko G or Zebra G are the beginner standard: flexible, durable, and inexpensive.
Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission.
Black calligraphy ink
£4–8 for a small bottle (lasts months)Sumi ink (black, water-based, matte) is the traditional calligraphy choice. Higgins Eternal Black is a reliable and widely available alternative. Avoid standard fountain pen ink, which is too thin and doesn't give the contrast you need. Fountain pen ink is designed to flow; calligraphy ink is designed to sit on the surface.
Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission.
Rhodia or Clairefontaine paper
£5–10 for a padCheap paper causes ink to bleed and feather, which hides whether your letterforms are improving. Rhodia No. 16 (dot pad) or Clairefontaine 90g ruled paper is smooth, ink-resistant, and shows the quality of your strokes without ambiguity. This is the single most impactful equipment upgrade for beginners.
Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission.
A ruler and light blue pencil
Already owned, or £1–3Drawing guidelines (x-height, ascender line, descender line, slant) before writing gives your letterforms a structure to sit in. Light blue doesn't reproduce under photocopiers. Traditional drafting technique. Or download and print calligraphy guide sheets (free online).
Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission.
Preparing a new nib
New steel nibs have a protective coating to prevent rust during storage. This coating repels ink. Before using a new nib: pass it briefly through a flame (2–3 seconds, until it just blackens), let it cool, then wipe with a damp cloth. Alternatively, rub it with toothpaste and rinse. Test: dip in ink — it should coat the nib evenly rather than beading up.
Community
Reader tips
No tips yet — be the first to share what worked for you.
Share a tip
Sign in to share what worked for you.
Same category
What to learn next
Knitting — Your First Project
Two needles, one ball of yarn. Learn to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off, then make something real. The craft that turns raw material into fabric with your hands.
Your First Leather Wallet
Learn traditional hand-stitched leatherwork. What to buy, the four core techniques, a finished wallet, and your path to mastery.
Pottery — Hand-Building
No wheel required. Hand-building, pinching, coiling, and slabbing, teaches you to work with clay directly. The most accessible start to a deep and tactile craft.